Stuart E Marsh

Interests

Teaching

Remote Sensing, Arid Lands, Environment

Research

Environment, Land Use and Land Cover Change, Remote Sensing

Courses

Scholarly Contributions

Chapters

• Skirvin, S. M., Kepner, W. G., Marsh, S. E., Drake, S. E., Maingi, J. K., Edmonds, C. M., Watts, C. J., & Williams, D. R. (2004). Assessing the Accuracy of Satellite-derived Land Cover Classification Using Historical Aerial Photography, Digital Orthophoto Quadrangles, and Airborne Video Data. CRC Press.
  More info

  ;Your Role: PI of project.;Full Citation: Skirvin, S.M., Kepner, W.G., Marsh, S.E., Drake, S.E., Maingi, J.K., Edmonds, C.M., Watts, C.J., Williams, D.R., 2004. Assessing the Accuracy of Satellite-derived Land Cover Classification Using Historical Aerial Photography, Digital Orthophoto Quadrangles, and Airborne Video Data. In Lunetta, R.S. and Lyon, J.G. (Editors), Remote Sensing and GIS Accuracy Assessment, CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL.;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Other collaborative: Yes;Specify other collaborative: ;

Journals/Publications

• Zuniga Teran, A. A., Stoker, P. A., Gimblett, H. R., Orr, B., Marsh, S. E., Guertin, D. P., & Chalfoun, N. V. (2019). Exploring the influence of neighborhood walkability on the frequency of use of greenspace. Landscape and Urban Planning, 190(October 2019, 103609). doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2019.103609
• El Vilaly, M. A., Didan, K., Marsh, S. E., Van Leeuwen, W. J., Crimmins, M. A., & Barreto, A. (2016). Vegetation Productivity Responses to Drought on Tribal Lands in the Four Corners Region of the Southwest U.S.. Frontiers of Earth Science.
• El-Vilaly, M., Didan, K., Marsh, S. E., Crimmins, M. A., & Munoz, A. B. (2018). Characterizing Drought Effects on Vegetation Productivity in the Four Corners Region of the US Southwest. SUSTAINABILITY, 10(5).
• Marsh, S. E., Mcclaran, M. P., Archer, S. R., Choy-ing, H., Choy-ing, H., Archer, S. R., Mcclaran, M. P., & Marsh, S. E. (2018). Shrub encroachment into grasslands: end of an era?. PeerJ, 6. doi:10.7717/peerj.5474.
• Nolte, K. D., Carriere, Y. -., Marsh, S. E., Degain, B., Hartfield, K. A., Ellers-Kirk, C., Dutilleul, L. P., Palumbo, J. C., & van Leeuwen, W. J. (2014). Assessing Transmission of Crop Diseases by Insect Vectors in a Landscape Context. Journal of Economic Entomology, 107(1), 10.
• Barreto, A., Crimmins, M. A., Van Leeuwen, W. J., Marsh, S. E., Didan, K., & El Vilaly, M. A. (2017). Vegetation Productivity Responses to Drought on Tribal Lands in the Four Corners Region of the Southwest U.S.. Frontiers of Earth Science. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11707-017-0646-z
• Zuniga Teran, A. A., Marsh, S. E., Orr, B. J., Guertin, D. P., Gimblett, H. R., Chalfoun, N. V., Chalfoun, N. V., Gimblett, H. R., Orr, B. J., Guertin, D. P., Marsh, S. E., & Zuniga Teran, A. A. (2017). Neighborhood Design, Physical Activity, and Wellbeing: Applying the Walkability Model. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 14(1), 76. doi:10.3390/ijerph14010076
• Zuniga Teran, A. A., Zuniga Teran, A. A., Going, S. B., Orr, B. J., Orr, B. J., Guertin, D. P., Gimblett, H. R., Gimblett, H. R., Marsh, S. E., Chalfoun, N. V., Chalfoun, N. V., Chalfoun, N. V., Marsh, S. E., Marsh, S. E., Gimblett, H. R., Orr, B. J., Guertin, D. P., Guertin, D. P., Going, S. B., , Going, S. B., et al. (2017). Designing healthy communities: Testing the walkability model. . Designing healthy communities: Testing the walkability model, 6(1), 63-73.
• Zuniga Teran, A. A., Marsh, S. E., Zuniga Teran, A. A., Orr, B., Guertin, D. P., Orr, B., Gimblett, H. R., Chalfoun, N. V., Gimblett, H. R., Going, S. B., Going, S. B., Going, S. B., Chalfoun, N. V., Gimblett, H. R., Chalfoun, N. V., Guertin, D. P., Orr, B., Guertin, D. P., Marsh, S. E., , Marsh, S. E., et al. (2016). Designing healthy communities: A walkability analysis of LEED-ND. Frontiers in Architectural Research. doi:10.1016/j.foar.2016.09.004
• Zuniga Teran, A. A., Orr, B., Gimblett, H. R., Chalfoun, N. V., Marsh, S. E., Guertin, D. P., & Going, S. B. (2017). Designing healthy communities: Testing the walkability model. Frontiers in Architectural Research, 6(1), 63-73. doi:10.1016/j.foar.2016.11.005
• Zuniga Teran, A. A., Zuniga Teran, A. A., Orr, B., Orr, B., Gimblett, H. R., Gimblett, H. R., Going, S. B., Going, S. B., Chalfoun, N. V., Chalfoun, N. V., Guertin, D. P., Guertin, D. P., Marsh, S. E., & Marsh, S. E. (2016). Designing healthy communities: Testing the walkability model. Frontiers in Architectural Research. doi:10.1016/j.foar.2016.11.005
• Kong, T. M., Marsh, S. E., van Rooyen, A. F., Kellner, K., & Orr, B. J. (2015). Assessing rangeland condition in the Kalahari Duneveld through local ecological knowledge of livestock farmers and remotely sensed data. JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS, 113, 77-86.
  More info

  Monitoring of land degradation in remote rangelands, such as the Kalahari Duneveld, presents significant logistical challenges because of the need for systematic measurements of rangeland condition over time and space. The distinct vegetation dynamics and manifestation of degradation on dunes and interdunes in the Kalahari Duneveld, and their edaphic characteristics augment the difficulty with rangeland assessment. This study examined the effectiveness of using the local ecological knowledge (LEK) of livestock farmers in Mier and remotely sensed data to assess rangeland condition relative to field-measured vegetation and ground cover with step-point walking transects. We used Landsat-7 ETM+ imagery to calculate the Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI), Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), and tasseled cap greenness to characterize vegetation cover. The multivariate analysis of variance and analysis of variance showed that the farmers' assessment of rangeland condition explained the significant difference in the field-measured grass, shrub and bare ground cover. NDVI, SAVI and tasseled cap greenness all correlated poorly to the field-measured vegetation cover because of the excess spectral noise from the high iron oxide content in the soil. The farmers' LEK has potential to contribute toward monitoring of remote Kalahari Duneveld. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
• Carriere, Y. -., Nolte, K. D., Marsh, S. E., Degain, B., Hartfield, K. A., Ellers-Kirk, C., Dutilleul, L. P., van Leeuwen, W. J., & Palumbo, J. C. (2014). Assessing Transmission of Crop Diseases by Insect Vectors in a Landscape Context. Journal of Economic Entomology, 107(1), 10.
• Herrmann, S. M., Wickhorst, A. J., & Marsh, S. E. (2013). Estimation of Tree Cover in an Agricultural Parkland of Senegal Using Rule-Based Regression Tree Modeling. Remote Sensing, 5, 4900-4918.
  More info

  Herrmann, S.M., Wickhorst, A.J., Marsh, S.E., 2013. Estimation of Tree Cover in an Agricultural Parkland of Senegal Using Rule-Based Regression Tree Modeling. Remote Sensing. 5: 4900-4918.
• Marsh, S. E., Kong, T. M., van Rooyen, A. F., Kellner, K., & Orr, B. J. (2014). Assessing Rangeland Condition in the Kalahari Duneveld through Local Ecological Knowledge of Livestock Farmers and Remotely Sensed Data. Journal of Arid Environments, 113, 77-86.
• Hartfield, K. A., Marsh, S. E., Kirk, C. D., & Carrière, Y. (2013). Contemporary and historical classification of crop types in Arizona. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 34(17), 6024-6036.
  More info

  Abstract: This research compares three different classification algorithms for mapping crops in Pinal County, Arizona, using both present and historical image data. The study area lacked past crop maps, and farmers were dealing with the risk of evolution of resistance to insecticides in the whitefly, a global pest of cotton, fruits, and vegetables. The ability to create historical crop maps without concurrent training data is an invaluable tool for historical integrated pest management research. Comparison of maximum likelihood, object-oriented, and regression tree classifiers was done with Landsat Thematic Mapper imagery and high quality crop maps. Classification outputs for the three years in this research all achieved overall accuracies above the traditional benchmark of 85%. Comparison of the classification results shows that the classification and regression tree technique clearly outperformed the other classifiers. Using training data from one year and applying that data to another year for classification purposes demonstrated that overall accuracies from 71% to 83% are achievable, although accuracies were consistently greater than 85% for some crops. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
• Hartfield, K., Marsh, S. E., Ellers-Kirk, C., & Carriere, Y. (2013). Contemporary and Historical Classification of Crop Types in Arizona. International Journal of Remote Sensing.
  More info

  Hartfield, K., Marsh, S.E., Ellers-Kirk, C., Carriere, Y., In Press. Contemporary and HistoricalClassification of Crop Types in Arizona. International Journal of Remote Sensing. Published. (40%).;Your Role: Research Direction and Oversight.;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member at UA: Yes;
• Herrmann, S. M., Wickhorst, A. J., & Marsh, S. E. (2013). Estimation of tree cover in an agricultural parkland of senegal using rule-based regression tree modeling. Remote Sensing, 5(10), 4900-4918.
  More info

  Abstract: Field trees are an integral part of the farmed parkland landscape in West Africa and provide multiple benefits to the local environment and livelihoods. While field trees have received increasing interest in the context of strengthening resilience to climate variability and change, the actual extent of farmed parkland and spatial patterns of tree cover are largely unknown. We used the rule-based predictive modeling tool Cubist® to estimate field tree cover in the west-central agricultural region of Senegal. A collection of rules and associated multiple linear regression models was constructed from (1) a reference dataset of percent tree cover derived from very high spatial resolution data (2 m Orbview) as the dependent variable, and (2) ten years of 10-day 250 m Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) composites and derived phenological metrics as independent variables. Correlation coefficients between modeled and reference percent tree cover of 0.88 and 0.77 were achieved for training and validation data respectively, with absolute mean errors of 1.07 and 1.03 percent tree cover. The resulting map shows a west-east gradient from high tree cover in the peri-urban areas of horticulture and arboriculture to low tree cover in the more sparsely populated eastern part of the study area. A comparison of current (2000s) tree cover along this gradient with historic cover as seen on Corona images reveals dynamics of change but also areas of remarkable stability of field tree cover since 1968. The proposed modeling approach can help to identify locations of high and low tree cover in dryland environments and guide ground studies and management interventions aimed at promoting the integration of field trees in agricultural systems. © 2013 by the authors.
• Hartfield, ., Larocque, ., Degain, ., Dutilleul, ., Dennehy, ., Marsh, ., Crowder, ., Li, ., Ellsworth, ., Naranjo, ., Palumbo, ., Fournier, ., Antilla, ., Tabashnik, ., & 2012, . (2011). Large-scale, spatially-explicit test of the refuge strategy for delaying insecticide resistance. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences PNAS.
  More info

  Carrière, Y., Ellers-Kirk, C., Hartfield, K., Larocque, G., Degain, B., Dutilleul, P., Dennehy, T., Marsh, S.E., Crowder, D.W., Li, X., Ellsworth, P.C., Naranjo, S.E., Palumbo, J.C., Fournier, A., Antilla, L., Tabashnik, B.E., 2012. Large-scale, spatially-explicit test of the refuge strategy for delaying insecticide resistance. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences PNAS, 109(3):775-780.;Your Role: Directed Remote Sensing Component of this large research project.;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member at UA: Yes;
• Olsson, A. D., Betancourt, J. L., Crimmins, M. A., & Marsh, S. E. (2012). Constancy of local spread rates for buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare L.) in the Arizona Upland of the Sonoran Desert. Journal of Arid Environments, 87, 136-143.
  More info

  Abstract: In North American deserts, grass invasions threaten native vegetation via competition and altered fire regimes. Accurate prediction and successful mitigation of these invasions hinge on estimation of spread rates and their degree of constancy in time and space. We used high-resolution aerial photographs from 11 sites in the Santa Catalina Mountains, southern Arizona to reconstruct the spread of buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare), a C 4 perennial bunchgrass, since 1980. The total area infested was fit to a logistic model and residuals of the model were compared to climatic factors of the corresponding and lagged time periods. Infestations grew from small colonizing patches in the 1980s to 66 ha in 2008, doubling every 2.26-7.04 years since 1988. Although buffelgrass germination, establishment and distribution are favored by wet summers and warm winters, climate variables did not predict spread rates. Buffelgrass has grown at a constant rate, at least since 1988, when much of its expansion took place. In the study area, minimum requirements are met almost every year for germination and reproduction, establishing a consistent baseline for spread that manifests as a constant spread rate. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.
• Olsson, A., Betancourt, J., Crimmins, M. A., & Marsh, S. E. (2012). Constancy of local spread rates for buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare L.) in the Arizona Upland of the Sonoran Desert. Journal of Arid Environments, 87, 136-143.
• Villarreal, M. L., Drake, S., Marsh, S. E., & Mccoy, A. L. (2012). The Influence Of Wastewater Subsidy, Flood Disturbance And Neighbouring Land Use On Current And Historical Patterns Of Riparian Vegetation In A Semi-Arid Watershed. River Research and Applications, 28(8), 1230-1245.
  More info

  Abstract: Riparian systems are among the most diverse and most threatened ecosystems in the western USA and consequently the focus of much conservation and restoration effort. Detailed mapping of existing riparian vegetation and quantitative description of historical riparian dynamics can inform and direct ecosystem conservation and restoration efforts. Using historical aerial photography, satellite imagery and field methods, we examine and compare historical riparian vegetation dynamics within catchments of varying land-use/water-use intensity along a 51-km stretch of the Santa Cruz River in Arizona, USA. We mapped current (2006-2007) vegetation to a formation class level (dominant life form) through aerial photo-interpretation and refined the map to an alliance level (dominant species) with extensive field data. We mapped historical vegetation to the formation level using six dates of aerial photography (1936-2004) and quantified rates of land-use and vegetation change over the 70-year period with spatial analysis techniques. Our results indicate that the current amount, distribution and diversity of vegetation alliances are linked to effluent supply. Sites receiving effluent since 1972 experienced a rapid increase in area of riparian forest and woodland from 1984 to 2004, followed by retrogression to herbaceous-dominated types from 2004 to 2006, the result of an extensive cottonwood tree die-off. Sites with no effluent subsidy are currently dominated by a mixture of riparian shrub and non-native herbaceous alliances but tend to have higher overall alliance diversity and exhibit more stability over time. These results suggest that the use of effluent for riparian restoration may have variable long-term effects depending on catchment land-use history. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
• Villarreal, M. L., Villarreal, M. L., Drake, S., Drake, S., Marsh, S. E., Marsh, S. E., McCoy, A. L., & McCoy, A. L. (2011). The influence of wastewater subsidy, flood disturbance and neighboring land use on current and historical patterns of riparian vegetation in a semi-arid watershed. River Research and Applications.
  More info

  Villarreal, M.L., Drake, S., Marsh, S.E., and McCoy, A.L., In Press. The influence of wastewater subsidy, flood disturbance and neighboring land use on current and historical patterns of riparian vegetation in a semi-arid watershed. River Research and Applications, First online: 28 Mar 2011, DOI: 10.1002/rra.1510;Your Role: Research Direction.;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;
• Hartfield, K., Ellers-Kirk, C., Wisneski, K., Orr, B. J., Marsh, S. E., & Carriere, Y. (2011). Novel Ground Truth Method for Crop Fields Combining a Global Positioning System (GPS) and Handheld Geographic Information System (HGIS). eXtension.
  More info

  ;Your Role: Research Direction and Oversight;Full Citation: Hartfield, K., Ellers-Kirk, C., Wisneski, K., Orr, B.J., Marsh, S.E., Carriere, Y., 2011. Novel Ground Truth Method for Crop Fields Combining a Global Positioning System (GPS) and Handheld GeographicInformation System (HGIS). eXtension.org. Available online: http://extension.org/60989. Published. (10%).;Electronic: Yes;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member at UA: Yes;
• Hartfield, K., Ellers-Kirk, C., Wisneski, K., Orr, B., Marsh, S., & , Y. (2011). Novel Ground Truth Method for Crop Fields Combining a Global Positioning System (GPS) and Handheld Geographic Information System (HGIS).
• Olsson, A. D., Betancourt, J., McClaran, M. P., & Marsh, S. E. (2011). Sonoran Desert Ecosystem Transformation by a C4 Grass Without the Grass/Fire Cycle. Diversity and Distributions.
  More info

  ;Your Role: Ph.D. Adviser to Olsson - Dissertation Research.;Full Citation: Olsson, A.D., Betancourt, J., McClaran, M.P., Marsh, S.E., 2011. Sonoran Desert EcosystemTransformation by a C4 Grass Without the Grass/Fire Cycle. Diversity and Distributions, 2011:1-12.Published. (10%);Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Other collaborative: Yes;Specify other collaborative: USGS;
• Olsson, A. D., J.D., W., & Marsh, S. E. (2011). Feasibility of invasive grass detection in a desertscrub community using hyperspectral field measurements and landsat TM imagery. Remote Sensing, 3(10), 2283-2304.
  More info

  Abstract: Invasive species' phenologies often contrast with those of native species, representing opportunities for detection of invasive species with multi-temporal remote sensing. Detection is especially critical for ecosystem-transforming species that facilitate changes in disturbance regimes. The African C 4 grass, Pennisetum ciliare, is transforming ecosystems on three continents and a number of neotropical islands by introducing a grass-fire cycle. However, previous attempts at discriminating P. ciliare in North America using multi-spectral imagery have been unsuccessful. In this paper, we integrate field measurements of hyperspectral plant species signatures and canopy cover with multi-temporal spectral analysis to identify opportunities for detection using moderate-resolution multi-spectral imagery. By applying these results to Landsat TM imagery, we show that multi-spectral discrimination of P. ciliare in heterogeneous mixed desert scrub is feasible, but only at high abundance levels that may have limited value to land managers seeking to control invasion. Much higher discriminability is possible with hyperspectral shortwave infrared imagery because of differences in non-photosynthetic vegetation in uninvaded and invaded landscapes during dormant seasons but these spectra are unavailable in multispectral sensors. Therefore, we recommend hyperspectral imagery for distinguishing invasive grass-dominated landscapes from uninvaded desert scrub. © 2011 by the authors.
• Olsson, A. D., van, L. W., & Marsh, S. E. (2011). Feasibility of Invasive Grass Detection in a Desertscrub Community Using Hyperspectral Field Measurements and Landsat TM Imagery. Remote Sensing.
  More info

  ;Your Role: Ph.D. Adviser to Olsson - Dissertation Research.;Full Citation: Olsson, A.D., van Leeuwen, W.J.D., Marsh, S.E., 2011. Feasibility of Invasive Grass Detection in aDesertscrub Community Using Hyperspectral Field Measurements and Landsat TM Imagery. RemoteSensing, 3: 2283-2304. Published. (15%).;Electronic: Yes;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;
• Olsson, A., Betancourt, J., McClaran, M., & Marsh, S. (2011). Sonoran Desert Ecosystem Transformation by a C4 Grass Without the Grass/Fire Cycle. Diversity and Distrubutions, 1-12.
• Olsson, A., van, L. W., & Marsh, S. (2011). Feasibility of Invasive Grass Detection in a Desertscrub Community Using Hyperspectral Field Measurements and Landsat TM Imagery. Remote Sensing, 3, 2283-2304.
• Casady, G. M., & Marsh, S. E. (2010). Broad-scale environmental conditions responsible for post-fire vegetation dynamics. Remote Sensing, 2(12), 2643-2664.
  More info

  Abstract: Ecosystem response to disturbance is influenced by environmental conditions at a number of scales. Changes in climate have altered fire regimes across the western United States, and have also likely altered spatio-temporal patterns of post-fire vegetation regeneration. Fire occurrence data and a vegetation index (NDVI) derived from the NOAA Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) were used to monitor post-fire vegetation from 1989 to 2007. We first investigated differences in post-fire rates of vegetation regeneration between ecoregions. We then related precipitation, temperature, and elevation records at four temporal scales to rates of post-fire vegetation regeneration to ascertain the influence of climate on post-fire vegetation dynamics. We found that broad-scale climate factors are an important influence on post-fire vegetation regeneration. Most notably, higher rates of post-fire regeneration occurred with warmer minimum temperatures. Increases in precipitation also resulted in higher rates of post-fire vegetation growth. While explanatory power was slight, multiple statistical approaches provided evidence for real ecological drivers of post-fire regeneration that should be investigated further at finer scales. The sensitivity of post-disturbance vegetation dynamics to climatic drivers has important ramifications for the management of ecosystems under changing climatic conditions. Shifts in temperature and precipitation regimes are likely to result in changes in post-disturbance dynamics, which could represent important feedbacks into the global climate system. © 2010 by the authors.
• Casady, G. M., J.D., W., & Marsh, S. E. (2010). Evaluating Post-wildfire Vegetation Regeneration as a Response to Multiple Environmental Determinants. Environmental Modeling and Assessment, 15(5), 295-307.
  More info

  Abstract: Vegetation regeneration in post-fire environments varies across the landscape of a burned area. Variations are caused by interacting factors, including soil properties, vegetation characteristics, hydrology, land management history, and burn severity. While many of these factors have been explored previously, few studies have investigated the combination of multiple factors. A time-series of the remotely sensed enhanced vegetation index data has been analyzed to estimate rates of regeneration across a burn in central Arizona. We used regression trees to evaluate post-fire vegetation response as a function of multiple factors. Regeneration was a function of elevation (likely a proxy for moisture availability), burn severity, pre-burn vegetation, and post-burn management activities. Both time-series vegetation data and regression trees were valuable tools for determining dominant interacting factors responsible for variations in post-fire regeneration. Evaluation of the time-series data and modeled post-fire vegetation permitted the interpretation of management actions across the burned area. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
• Casady, G. M., Marsh, ., & S.E., 2. (2010). Broad-Scale Environmental Conditions Responsible for Post-Fire Vegetation Dynamics. Remote Sensing.
  More info

  ;Your Role: Publication from my advisee's (Casady) dissertation research.;Full Citation: Casady, G.M. and Marsh, S.E. 2010. Broad-Scale Environmental Conditions Responsible for Post-Fire Vegetation Dynamics. Remote Sensing, 2:2643-2664.;Electronic: Yes;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;
• Casady, G. M., van, L., & S.E., . (2010). Evaluating Post-Wildfire Vegetation Regeneration as a Response to Multiple Environmental Determinants. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment.
  More info

  ;Your Role: Publication from my advisee's (Casady)dissertation research.;Full Citation: Casady, G.M., van Leeuwen W.J.D., Marsh, S.E., 2010. Evaluating Post-Wildfire Vegetation Regeneration as a Response to Multiple Environmental Determinants. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 15:295-307.;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;
• J.D., W., Davison, J. E., Casady, G. M., & Marsh, S. E. (2010). Phenological characterization of desert sky island vegetation communities with remotely sensed and climate time series data. Remote Sensing, 2(2), 388-415.
  More info

  Abstract: Climate change and variability are expected to impact the synchronicity and interactions between the Sonoran Desert and the forested sky islands which represent steep biological and environmental gradients. The main objectives were to examine how well satellite greenness time series data and derived phenological metrics (e.g., season start, peak greenness) can characterize specific vegetation communities across an elevation gradient, and to examine the interactions between climate and phenological metrics for each vegetation community. We found that representative vegetation types (11), varying between desert scrub, mesquite, grassland, mixed oak, juniper and pine, often had unique seasonal and interannual phenological trajectories and spatial patterns. Satellite derived land surface phenometrics (11) for each of the vegetation communities along the cline showed numerous distinct significant relationships in response to temperature (4) and precipitation (7) metrics. Satellite-derived sky island vegetation phenology can help assess and monitor vegetation dynamics and provide unique indicators of climate variability and patterns of change. © 2010 by the authors; licensee Molecular Diversity Preservation International, Basel, Switzerland.
• Leeuwen, V., Davison, ., Casady, ., & Marsh, . (2010). Phenological Characterization of Desert Sky Island Vegetation Communities with Remotely Sensed and Climate Time Series Data. Remote Sensing.
  More info

  ;Your Role: Part of Arizona Remote Sensing Center research team.;Full Citation: Van Leeuwen, W.J.D., Davison, J.E., Casady, G.M., and Marsh, S.E., 2010. Phenological Characterization of Desert Sky Island Vegetation Communities with Remotely Sensed and Climate Time Series Data. Remote Sensing, 2010(2): 388-415.;Electronic: Yes;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;
• Carrière, Y., Ellers-Kirk, C., Cattaneo, M. G., Yafuso, C. M., Antilla, L., Huang, C., Rahman, M., Orr, B. J., & Marsh, S. E. (2009). Landscape effects of transgenic cotton on non-target ants and beetles. Basic and Applied Ecology, 10(7), 597-606.
  More info

  Abstract: Transgenic crops producing toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) can be planted in the same field for many years, and many insects exploiting such crops must disperse to other habitats to persist. Accordingly, effects of transgenic crop farming could accumulate through time and affect insect populations across agricultural landscapes. We monitored the population density of seven ant genera and beetle families and of rare ants and beetles in 84 non-cultivated sites abutting agricultural fields in Central Arizona. We assessed the short-term (during planting year) and long-term (over 5-6 years) landscape effect of farming Cry1Ac cotton on ant and beetle density in non-cultivated sites, in addition to several local and regional variables. Landscape variables (e.g., sequence of crops planted in neighbouring fields, crop diversity, and abundance) were more frequently associated with insect density than local variables (e.g., plant productivity and diversity in non-cultivated sites). In the short-term, use of Bt relative to non-Bt cotton in neighbouring fields was positively associated with density of one ant and two beetle groups in non-cultivated sites. However, acreage of Bt cotton located within 1 km from non-cultivated sites had more negative effects than acreage of non-Bt cotton on density of one ant and one beetle group. In the long-term, the proportion of years that Bt cotton was planted in neighbouring fields was positively associated with ant density but not beetle density. Results suggest that the farming of Bt cotton in neighbouring fields frequently resulted in positive short- and long-term landscape effects on ants and beetles in non-cultivated sites, while Bt cotton planted farther away had less frequent negative short-term impacts. © 2009 Gesellschaft für Ökologie.
• Huang, C., Geiger, E. L., Leeuwen, W. V., & Marsh, S. E. (2009). Discrimination of invaded and native species sites in a semi-desert grassland using MODIS multi-temporal data. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 30(4), 897-917.
  More info

  Abstract: Over the past several decades, one of the most significant changes in semi-desert grasslands of the southwestern US has been the invasion of South African grass Eragrostis lehmanniana. The objective of this study was to characterize the phenology of systems occupied by E. lehmanniana and/or native grasses using time-series of field observations and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (MODIS NDVI) and brightness (red and near-infrared reflectance) data. Results demonstrated that it was possible to use NDVI and/or spectral reflectance data to discern the phenological differences across a gradient of E. lehmanniana infested grasslands due to variations in plant biodiversity, morphology and seasonal productivity. This work establishes the feasibility of integrating field and MODIS vegetation and spectral time-series data to characterise landscapes dominated by different herbaceous species, which in turn provides opportunities to monitor E. lehmanniana in semi-arid environments at a large spatial scale.
• Marsh, S. E., Huang, C., Geiger, E. L., & van, L. W. (2009). Discrimination of Invaded and Native Species Sites in a Semi-Desert Grassland using MODIS Multitemporal Data. International Journal of Remote Sensing.
  More info

  ;Your Role: Ph.D. Advisor to senior author.;Full Citation: Huang, C.-Y., Geiger, E.L., van Leeuwen, W., Marsh, S.E., 2009. Discrimination of Invaded and Native Species Sites in a Semi-Desert Grassland using MODIS Multitemporal Data. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 30(4): 897-917. ;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member at UA: Yes;
• Marsh, S. E., Moran, S. M., Hutchinson, B., McClaran, M. A., & Olsson, A. (2009). Archiving and Distributing Three Long-Term Interconnected Geospatial Data Sets. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing.
  More info

  ;Your Role: Co-author;Full Citation: Moran, S.M., Hutchinson, B., Marsh, S.E., McClaran, M.A., and Olsson, A., 2009. Archiving and Distributing Three Long-Term Interconnected Geospatial Data Sets. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 47(1): 59-71. ;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member at UA: Yes;Other collaborative: Yes;Specify other collaborative: USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS);
• Marsh, S. E., Y., C., Cattaneo, ., Yafuso, ., Antilla, ., Huang, ., Rahman, ., & Orr, . (2009). Landscape Effects of Transgenic Cotton on Non-target Ants and Beetles. Basic and Applied Ecology.
  More info

  ;Your Role: Geospatial Research Design;Full Citation: Carrière Y., Ellers-Kirk, C., Cattaneo, M.G., Yafuso, C.M., Antilla, L., Huang, C., Rahman, M., Orr, B.J., and Marsh, S.E., 2009. Landscape Effects of Transgenic Cotton on Non-target Ants and Beetles. Basic and Applied Ecology, 10: 597-606. Published. (5%). ;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member at UA: Yes;
• McClaran, M. P., Moore-Kucera, J., Martens, D. A., van, H. J., & Marsh, S. E. (2009). Soil Carbon and Nitrogen in Relation to Shrub Size and Death in a Semi-arid Grassland. Geoderma.
  More info

  ;Your Role: PI on project;Full Citation: McClaran, M.P., Moore-Kucera, J., Martens, D.A., van Haren, J., Marsh, S.E., 2008. Soil Carbon and Nitrogen in Relation to Shrub Size and Death in a Semi-arid Grassland. Geoderma, 145(1-2): 60-68.;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member at UA: Yes;
• McClaran, M. P., Moore-Kucera, J., Martens, D. A., van, H. J., & Marsh, S. E. (2008). Soil Carbon and Nitrogen in Relation to Shrub Size and Death in a Semi-arid Grassland. Geoderma.
  More info

  ;Your Role: PI on project;Full Citation: McClaran, M.P., Moore-Kucera, J., Martens, D.A., van Haren, J., Marsh, S.E., 2008. Soil Carbon and Nitrogen in Relation to Shrub Size and Death in a Semi-arid Grassland. Geoderma, 145(1-2): 60-68.;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member at UA: Yes;
• Casady, G. M., & Marsh, S. E. (2007). Evaluating the drivers of post-wildfire successional dynamics across large-scale environmental gradients. Proceedings, 32nd International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment: Sustainable Development Through Global Earth Observations.
  More info

  Abstract: Ecologists have long sought a better understanding of post-disturbance vegetation community dynamics. An important aspect of this pursuit is the determination of how large-scale environmental factors, such as climate, impact the rates and trajectories of post-disturbance vegetation dynamics. This research approaches one aspect of this discussion by investigating differences in post-wildfire vegetation dynamics across the Western United States. Locations of wildfires were used to investigate the primary productivity of each site for the period from 2001 to 2006. Satellite derived measure of net primary productivity (NPP) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) were used to measure post-fire vegetation dynamics. Rates of change in primary productivity as a function of time since burn for each site were compared to a variety of large scale environmental drivers, including annual precipitation and average temperature maxima and minima. The relationships observed between rates of vegetation change since a wildfire event and broad-scale climatic drivers indicate that maximum temperature, total precipitation, and percent winter precipitation are important to consider when evaluating the potential for post-wildfire ecosystem recovery. Understanding these relationships should add valuable information to the prediction of post-disturbance ecosystem dynamics in the face of future changes in broad scale climate regimes.
• Davison, J. E., Leeuwen, W. V., Casady, G. M., & Marsh, S. E. (2007). Phenological characterization of a sky island: Insights into vegetation patterns across space and time. Proceedings, 32nd International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment: Sustainable Development Through Global Earth Observations.
  More info

  Abstract: Remotely sensed vegetation phenology data is often used to examine landscape-level vegetation interactions with climate and other drivers. Understanding vegetation phenology of sky islands is important for assessing the effect of predicted climate change (e.g. prolonged droughts) in these biologically diverse areas. We used Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time series data to derive phenological metrics (pheno-metrics), quantifying seasonal timing and magnitude, for Arizona's Santa Rita Mountains. Preliminary results suggest that these metrics are rich sources of information for characterizing landscape vegetation dynamics. Principal Components Analysis of twelve phenometrics showed spatial pattern in all twelve components, suggesting unique information and minimal noise in each metric. Classifications of the pheno-metrics showed yearly variation in spatial patterns and rough similarity to patterns in the Southwest Regional GAP Analysis Project vegetation classification. Further exploration of the spatial and temporal patterns of sky island pheno-metrics could enhance understanding of the phenology of arid ecosystems.
• Marsh, S. E., Huang, C., McClaran, M., & Archer, S. (2007). Post-fire stand structure in a semi-arid savanna: Cross-scale challenges estimating biomass. Ecological Applications.
  More info

  ;Your Role: Advisor to Ph.D. Student Publication;Full Citation: Post-fire stand structure in a semi-arid savanna: Cross-scale challenges estimating biomass Huang, C., Marsh, S., McClaran, M., and Archer, S. 2007. Post-fire stand structure in a semi-arid savanna: Cross-scale challenges estimating biomass. Ecological Applications, 17(7):1899-1910. ;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member at UA: Yes;
• Cattaneo, M. G., Yafuso, C., Schmidt, C., Huang, C. R., M., O., C., E., C., O., B.J., M., S.E., A., L., D., P., ., Carriere, ., & Y, . (2006). Farm-scale Evaluation of the Impacts of Transgenic Cotton on Biodiversity, Pesticide Use, and Yield. Proceedings National Academy of Sciences.
  More info

  ;Your Role: Co-I;Full Citation: Cattaneo, M.G., Yafuso, C., Schmidt, C., Huang C., Rahman, M., Olson, C., Ellers-Kirk, C., Orr, B.J., Marsh, S.E., Antilla, L., Dutilleul, P., and Carriere, Y., 2006. Farm-scale Evaluation of the Impacts of Transgenic Cotton on Biodiversity, Pesticide Use, and Yield. Proceedings National Academy of Sciences, 103(20):7571-7576, May 16, 2006.;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member at UA: Yes;
• Cattaneo, M. G., Yafuso, C., Schmidt, C., Huang, C., Rahman, M., Olson, C., Ellers-Kirk, C., Orr, B. J., Marsh, S. E., Antilla, L., Dutilleul, P., & Carrière, Y. (2006). Farm-scale evaluation of the impacts of transgenic cotton on biodiversity, pesticide use, and yield. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 103(20), 7571-7576.
  More info

  PMID: 16675554;PMCID: PMC1457091;Abstract: Higher yields and reduced pesticide impacts are needed to mitigate the effects of agricultural intensification. A 2-year farm-scale evaluation of 81 commercial fields in Arizona show that use of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton reduced insecticide use, whereas transgenic cotton with Bt protein and herbicide resistance (BtHr) did not affect herbicide use. Transgenic cotton had higher yield than nontransgenic cotton for any given number of insecticide applications. However, nontransgenic, Bt and BtHr cotton had similar yields overall, largely because higher insecticide use with nontransgenic cotton improved control of key pests. Unlike Bt and BtHr cotton, insecticides reduced the diversity of nontarget insects. Several other agronomic and ecological factors also affected biodiversity. Nevertheless, pairwise comparisons of diversity of nontarget insects in cotton fields with diversity in adjacent noncultivated sites revealed similar effects of cultivation of transgenic and nontransgenic cotton on biodiversity. The results indicate that impacts of agricultural intensification can be reduced when replacement of broad-spectrum insecticides by narrow-spectrum Bt crops does not reduce control of pests not affected by Bt crops. © 2006 by The National Academy of Sciences of the USA.
• Farid, A., Rautenkranz, D., Goodrich, D. C., Marsh, S. E., & Sorooshian, S. (2006). Riparian Vegetation Classification from Airborne Laser Scanning Data with an Emphasis on Cottonwood Trees. Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing.
  More info

  ;Your Role: Co-I;Full Citation: Farid, A., Rautenkranz, D., Goodrich, D.C., Marsh, S.E., and Sorooshian, S., 2006. Riparian Vegetation Classification from Airborne Laser Scanning Data with an Emphasis on Cottonwood Trees. Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing, 32(1):15-18.;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member at UA: Yes;
• Farid, A., Rautenkranz, D., Goodrich, D. C., Marsh, S. E., & Sorooshian, S. (2006). Riparian vegetation classification from airborne laser scanning data with an emphasis on cottonwood trees. Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing, 32(1), 15-18.
  More info

  Abstract: The high point density of airborne laser mapping systems enables achieving a detailed description of geographic objects and the terrain. Growing experience indicates, however, that extracting useful information directly from the data can be difficult. In this study, small-footprint lidar data were used to differentiate between young, mature, and old cottonwood trees in the San Pedro River Basin near Benson, Arizona, USA. The lidar data were acquired in June 2003, using the Optech Incorporated ALTM 1233 (Optech Incorporated, Toronto, Ont.), during flyovers conducted at an altitude of 750 m. The lidar data were preprocessed to create a two-band image of the study site: a high-accuracy canopy altitude model band, and a near-infrared intensity band. These lidar-derived images provided the basis for supervised classification of cottonwood age categories, using a maximum likelihood algorithm. The results of classification illustrate the potential of airborne lidar data to differentiate age classes of cottonwood trees for riparian areas quickly and accurately. © 2006 CASI.
• Heydlauff, A. L., Krausman, P. R., Shaw, W. W., & Marsh, S. (2006). Perceptions Regarding Elk and Elk Management in Arizona. Wildlife Society Bulletin.
  More info

  ;Your Role: Project PI;Full Citation: Heydlauff, A.L., Krausman, P.R., Shaw, W.W., and Marsh, S.E., 2006. Perceptions Regarding Elk and Elk Management in Arizona. The Wildlife Society Bulletin, 34(1):27-35.;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member at UA: Yes;
• J.D., W., Orr, B. J., Marsh, S. E., & Herrmann, S. M. (2006). Multi-sensor NDVI data continuity: Uncertainties and implications for vegetation monitoring applications. Remote Sensing of Environment, 100(1), 67-81.
  More info

  Abstract: Consistent NDVI time series are paramount in monitoring ecological resources that are being altered by climate and human impacts. An increasing number of natural resource managers use web-based geospatial decision support tools that integrate time series of both historical and current NDVI data derived from multiple sensors to make better informed planning and management decisions. Representative canopy reflectance and NDVI data were simulated for historical, current and future AVHRR, MODIS and VIIRS land surface monitoring satellites to quantify the differences due to sensor-specific characteristics. Cross-sensor NDVI translation equations were developed for surface conditions. The effect of a range of atmospheric conditions (Rayleigh scattering, ozone, aerosol optical thickness, and water vapor content) on the sensor-specific reflectance and NDVI values were evaluated to quantify the uncertainty in the apparent NDVI for each sensor. MODIS and VIIRS NDVI data are minimally affected by the atmospheric water vapor, while AVHRR NDVI data are substantially reduced by water vapor. Although multi-sensor NDVI continuity can be obtained by using the developed cross-sensor translation equations, the interactions between the spectral characteristics of surface vegetation and soil components, sensor-specific spectral band characteristics and atmospheric scattering and absorption windows will introduce uncertainty due to insufficient knowledge about the atmospheric conditions that affect the signal of the Earth's pixels at the time of data acquisitions. Processing strategies and algorithm preferences among data streams are also hindering cross-sensor NDVI continuity. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
• Leeuwen, v., Orr, ., , B. M., & Herrmann, . (2006). Multi-Sensor NDVI Data Continuity: Uncertainties and Implications for Vegetation Monitoring Applications.
  More info

  ;Your Role: Co-I;Full Citation: van Leeuwen, W.J.D., Orr, B. Marsh, S.E., Herrmann, S., 2006. Multi-Sensor NDVI Data Continuity: Uncertainties and Implications for Vegetation Monitoring Applications. Remote Sensing of Environment, 100(1):67-81.;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;
• Maingi, J. K., & Marsh, S. E. (2006). Composition, structure, and regeneration patterns in a gallery forest along the Tana River near Bura, Kenya. Forest Ecology and Management, 236(2-3), 211-228.
  More info

  Abstract: This study used classification and ordination techniques to characterize the composition and distribution of woody vegetation along the Tana River floodplain near Bura in eastern Kenya. Results obtained from cluster analysis of tree and shrub vegetation corroborated the results from non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS), separating the forests into seven fairly well-defined assemblages of species. The primary vegetation gradient summarized by the ordination was significantly correlated (0.257-0.394, p < 0.01) with soil texture and soil carbon at depths of 50-120 cm. The secondary vegetation gradient was significantly correlated (0.480-0.483, p < 0.01) with indicators of river flood regime. Measured environmental variables, however, only partially explained observed vegetation patterns. Many overstory species were well represented in the regeneration layer of low-lying point-bar and oxbow forests, but were poorly represented in the higher elevation levee forests. There were significant correlations (0.278-0.320, p < 0.01) between the first ordination axis for the regeneration layer and flood regime of the river, and between the second ordination axis and soil texture (0.321-0.346, p < 0.01) in the top 20 cm where seedling roots are likely to be settled. Spirostachys venenifera and Acacia elatior had the widest environmental tolerance, occurring in 78% and 60% of all sample plots, respectively. Populus ilicifolia had the narrowest environmental tolerance, occurring in less than 1% of plots, all located on point-bars. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
• Maingi, J. K., Marsh, ., & S.E., . (2006). Composition, Structure, and Regeneration Patterns in a Gallery Forest Along the Tana River Near Bura, Kenya. Forest Ecology and Management.
  More info

  ;Your Role: Advisor;Full Citation: Maingi, J.K. and Marsh, S.E., 2006. Composition, Structure, and Regeneration Patterns in a Gallery Forest Along the Tana River Near Bura, Kenya. Forest Ecology and Management, 236:211-228.;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;
• Fang, H., Liang, S., McClaran, M. P., van, L., S., M., S.E., T., A., I., R.C., R., & N.J., . (2005). Biophysical Characterization and Management Effects on Semi-Arid Rangeland Observed from Landsat ETM+ Data. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing.
  More info

  ;Your Role: Co-PI of project.File would not upload - PETS error.;Full Citation: Fang, H., Liang, S., McClaran, M.P., van Leeuwen W.J.D., Drake, S., Marsh, S.E., Thomson, A., Izaurralde, R.C., Rosenberg, N.J., 2005. Biophysical Characterization and Management Effects on Semi-Arid Rangeland Observed from Landsat ETM+ Data. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 43(1):125-134.;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member at UA: Yes;Other collaborative: Yes;Specify other collaborative: ;
• Marsh, S. E., & , C. W. (2005). Characterizing the Spatial Structure of Endangered Species Habitat Using Geostatistical Analysis of IKONOS Imagery. International Journal of Remote Sensing.
  More info

  ;Your Role: Advisee dissertation research paper and PI on research project that funded the research.;Full Citation: Wallace, C.S.A. and Marsh, S.E., 2005. Characterizing the Spatial Structure of Endangered Species Habitat Using Geostatistical Analysis of IKONOS Imagery. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 26(12):2607-2629.;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;
• Wallace, C. S., & Marsh, S. E. (2005). Characterizing the spatial structure of endangered species habitat using geostatistical analysis of IKONOS imagery. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 26(12), 2607-2629.
  More info

  Abstract: Our study used geostatistics to extract measures that characterize the spatial structure of vegetated landscapes from satellite imagery for mapping endangered Sonoran pronghorn habitat. Fine spatial resolution IKONOS data provided information at the scale of individual trees or shrubs that permitted analysis of vegetation structure and pattern. We derived images of landscape structure by calculating local estimates of the nugget, sill, and range variogram parameters within 25 × 25-m image windows. These variogram parameters, which describe the spatial autocorrelation of the 1-m image pixels, are shown in previous studies to discriminate between different species-specific vegetation associations. We constructed two independent models of pronghorn landscape preference by coupling the derived measures with Sonoran pronghorn sighting data: a distribution-based model and a cluster-based model. The distribution-based model used the descriptive statistics for variogram measures at pronghorn sightings, whereas the cluster-based model used the distribution of pronghorn sightings within clusters of an unsupervised classification of derived images. Both models define similar landscapes, and validation results confirm they effectively predict the locations of an independent set of pronghorn sightings. Such information, although not a substitute for field-based knowledge of the landscape and associated ecological processes, can provide valuable reconnaissance information to guide natural resource management efforts. © 2005 Taylor & Francis Group Ltd.
• Marsh, S. E., & Shupe, S. (2004). Cover and Density Based Vegetation Classifications of the Sonoran Desert Using Landsat TM and ERS-1 SAR Imagery. Remote Sensing of Environment.
  More info

  ;Your Role: Advisee Dissertation Research Publication;Full Citation: Shupe, S. and Marsh, S.E., 2004. Cover and Density Based Vegetation Classifications of the Sonoran Desert Using Landsat TM and ERS-1 SAR Imagery. Remote Sensing of Environment, 93(1-2):131-149.;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;
• Shupe, S. M., & Marsh, S. E. (2004). Cover- and density-based vegetation classifications of the Sonoran Desert using Landsat TM and ERS-1 SAR imagery. Remote Sensing of Environment, 93(1-2), 131-149.
  More info

  Abstract: Arid lands are distinctive ecological zones that require vegetation maps for management and monitoring. The use of remote sensing for mapping desert vegetation is made difficult by the mixing of reflectance spectra of bright desert soils with the relatively weak spectral response of sparse vegetation. To investigate ways to improve desert vegetation mapping, a comparison of the effect of supervised classification using two contrasting measures of field vegetation data as reference data was performed. We took cover- and density-based field vegetation data that had been collected by the US Army on the US Yuma Proving Ground (USYPG) in southwest Arizona, converted them into cover- and density-based reference classification schemes and used them to train both maximum likelihood (ML) and artificial neural net (ANN) classifiers. The impact on the accuracy of cover- and density-based vegetation maps were further analyzed using different combinations of input data (i.e., Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery, ERS-1 C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery, and elevation data). In spite of the fact that a cover-based plot classification is the logical training data for remote sensing classification, both cover- and density-based classified maps had similar accuracies for each data combination. The use of all data combinations gave the highest map classification accuracies, with the radar data improving the accuracy the most where the vegetation is dense. Classification accuracies of maps using the ML classifier were generally higher than those using the ANN classifier. ANN map classification accuracies improved significantly when the sigmoid transfer function was replaced with the hyperbolic tangent transfer function. Using the two contrasting measures for mapping proved complementary: the cover-based map located areas of significant tree presence that were not mapped on the density-based map and the density-based map located areas of significant cacti presence that were not mapped on the cover-based map. Creating both cover- and density-based vegetation maps may therefore better assist arid land management than creating only a cover-based vegetation map. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
• Maingi, J. K., & Marsh, S. E. (2002). Quantifying hydrologic impacts following dam construction along the Tana River, Kenya. Journal of Arid Environments, 50(1), 53-79.
  More info

  Abstract: Daily pre-dam and post-dam discharge data for Kenya's largest river, the Tana, were analysed using flood frequency analysis and computation of various indicators of hydrologic alteration (IHA). Results from these analyses indicated statistically significant (p < 0.01) augmentation of minimum river flows and reduction in peak flows. We also estimated the frequency of flooding of 71 vegetation sample plots located on various parts of the river floodplain by running a hydrologic water profile simulation program (HEC-RAS). Results from these analyses indicated that plots at elevations greater than 1.80 m above the dry season river level experienced statistically significant (p < 0.01) reduction in days flooded from the pre- to the post-dam period. This documented magnitude of change in the hydrologic regime will have a negative impact on the unique riverine forest occurring along the Tana River. © 2002 Academic Press.
• Clay, G. R., & Marsh, S. E. (2001). Monitoring forest transitions using scanned ground photographs as a primary data source. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, 67(3), 319-330.
  More info

  Abstract: Previous studies that have used repeat ground-based photography to document land-cover or land-use change have generally not assessed canopy transitions in forest settings. Furthermore, such activities have typically evaluated change only in a qualitative sense. Our research has investigated procedures necessary to utilize scanned and digitally processed ground-based photographs to quantitatively measure the multitemporal spectral response of a forest canopy in southern Utah. A multi-year photographic inventory was acquired from surveyed ground positions to document spectral response in a targeted forest condition: Issues related to normalization, image sampling, and digital analysis were investigated. The research concluded that highly reproducible and consistent spectral data can be generated to quantitatively monitor local canopy conditions, and to document the impact of natural or human-induced disturbance.
• Hutchinson, C. F., Marsh, S. E., Orr, B., Krausman, P., Enns, R. M., Howery, L., Pfirman, E., Wallace, C., Walker, J., Mauz, K., Boyd, H., Salazar, H., & Trobia, E. (2001). Informing the elk debate: Applying NASA earth observing system (EOS) data to natural resource management conflicts in the western states. International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS), 2, 834-836.
  More info

  Abstract: This study was designed to provide information that might help resource managers understand the distribution of elk in Arizona as a consequence of seasonal variation and in response to extreme climatic events (i.e. El Niño and La Niña). The first task involved modeling elk population over time. A technique for modeling elk population has been developed that is based on harvest data, gender ratios, and estimates of male mortality. This provided estimates of elk populations for individual game management units (areas for which harvest is reported and within which elk are managed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department). The second task involved the use of satellite data to characterize vegetation responses to seasonal and interannual climate variation among vegetation associations within game management units. This involved the use of NOAA-AVHRR time series data to describe temporal vegetation behavior, Landsat data to describe spatial vegetation distribution in conjunction with U.S. Forest Service vegetation maps. Elk population estimates were correlated with satellite-derived vegetation measures by vegetation association through time. The patterns of elk distribution that this revealed were complex. Not surprisingly, animals appear to respond to differences in vegetation availability - both seasonally and interannually - as portrayed by satellite data.
• Maingi, J. K., & Marsh, S. E. (2001). Assessment of environmental impacts of river basin development on the riverine forests of eastern Kenya using multi-temporal satellite data. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 22(14), 2701-2729.
  More info

  Abstract: The utility of Landsat MSS (Multispectral Scanner) and SPOT XS data in monitoring the impacts of river basin development on a riverine forest located in the lower Tana River Basin of eastern Kenya was evaluated. Land cover change maps derived from Landsat MSS indicated little change in total forest area between 1975 and 1984. Land cover change maps derived from SPOT XS data indicated a 27% decline in forest area between 1989 and 1996. Mean patch size and area-perimeter ratio of the closed riverine forest remained virtually unchanged whereas these parameters for the open forest class decreased by 31% and 4% respectively. In addition, the average extent of the open riverine forest from the river channel declined by about 200 m between 1989 and 1996. This decline was attributed to decreased extent of floods along the floodplain following construction of dams in the upper river basin, and increased exploitation of the forests for fuelwood, especially in the vicinity of the established Bura Irrigation and Settlement Project. The greater lateral movement observed in the location of the river channel for the 1975-1985 period, compared to the 1985-1996 period, was also attributed to construction of dams in the upper river basin.
• Weiss, E., Marsh, S. E., & Pfirman, E. S. (2001). Application of NOAA-AVHRR NDVI time-series data to assess changes in Saudi Arabia's rangelands. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 22(6), 1005-1027.
  More info

  Abstract: The primary objective of this study was to assess the condition of a portion of Saudi Arabia's rangelands and evaluate the effects of grazing by the animal herds of indigenous nomads over the last decade. Because of the desertic condition of these rangelands, changes in vegetation cover are more subtle than would be the case for other, less arid areas. Consequently, a new analytic methodology for the detection of desertification of arid and hyper-arid rangelands was developed specifically for this project. The conceptual framework for the analysis is the use of the coefficient of variation (COV) of the monthly Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI, maximum-value composite) as a measure of vegetative biomass change. A higher NDVI COV for a given pixel (excluding cases of changes in land use) represents a greater change in vegetation biomass in the ground area represented by that pixel. Linear regression was used to determine the trend in COV values for each pixel over the 12-year period for which data was available; pixels with a negative slope are considered to represent ground areas with decreasing amounts of vegetation. Results were validated by tests of statistical significance and by comparison of the theoretical results to vegetation change and land-cover data from the remote sensing systems and from reconnaissance flights over select areas. These desertification trend results were then combined with land-cover information to provide an assessment of desertification status.
• Kepner, W. G., Watts, C. J., Edmonds, C. M., Maingi, J. K., Marsh, S. E., & Luna, G. (2000). A landscape approach for detecting and evaluating change in a semi-arid environment. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 64(1), 179-195.
  More info

  Abstract: Vegetation change in the American West has been a subject of concern throughout the twentieth century. Although many of the changes have been recorded qualitatively through the use of comparative photography and historical reports, little quantitative information has been available on the regional or watershed scale. It is currently possible to measure change over large areas and determine trends in ecological and hydrological condition using advanced space-based technologies. Specifically, this process is being tested in a community-based watershed in southeast Arizona and northeast Sonora, Mexico using a system of landscape pattern measurements derived from satellite remote sensing, spatial statistics, process modeling, and geographic information systems technology. These technologies provide the basis for developing landscape composition and pattern indicators as sensitive measures of large-scale environmental change and thus may provide an effective and economical method for evaluating watershed condition related to disturbance from human and natural stresses. The project utilizes the database from the North American Landscape Characterization (NALC) project which incorporates triplicate Landsat Multi-Spectral Scanner (MSS) imagery from the early 1970s, mid 1980s, and the 1990s. Landscape composition and pattern metrics have been generated from digital land cover maps derived from the NALC images and compared across a nearly 20-year period. Results about changes in land cover for the study period indicate that extensive, highly connected grassland and desertscrub areas are the most vulnerable ecosystems to fragmentation and actual loss due to encroachment of xerophytic mesquite woodland. In the study period, grasslands and desertscrub not only decreased in extent but also became more fragmented. That is, the number of grassland and desertscrub patches increased and their average patch sizes decreased. In stark contrast, the mesquite woodland patches increased in size, number, and connectivity. These changes have important impact for the hydrology of the region, since the energy and water balance characteristics for these cover types are significantly different. The process demonstrates a simple procedure to document changes and determine ecosystem vulnerabilities through the use of change detection and indicator development, especially in regard to traditional degradation processes that have occurred throughout the western rangelands involving changes of vegetative cover and acceleration of water and wind erosion.
• Clay, G. R., & Marsh, S. E. (1997). Spectral analysis for articulating scenic color changes in a coniferous landscape. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, 63(12), 1353-1362.
  More info

  Abstract: Scenic resources represent a significant economic gain with regard to regional recreation and tourism. Measuring their scope and spatial distribution, however, has proved challenging because scenic amenities relate to both the physical environment and the responses of people interacting with those settings. The reported research addressed the documentation of scenic resources, and presented an integrated approach toward (1) the acquisition and processing of color/change relationships from scanned ground-based photographs, and (2) the creation of computer simulations using the above photographs to illustrate the color shifts measured during image processing. A geographic information system (GIS), the Global Positioning System (GPS), and image processing technologies were applied to insure that the simulated environments displayed high levels of spatial and spectral accuracy. The derived techniques could ultimately provide managers with a cost-effective means to assess scenic change, through the use of indexed color/change data that could be documented, reproduced, and integrated with other quantitative data.
• Hirosawa, Y., Marsh, S. E., & Kliman, D. H. (1996). Application of standardized principal component analysis of land-cover characterization using multitemporal AVHRR data. Remote Sensing of Environment, 58(3), 267-281.
  More info

  Abstract: The concept of a vegetation vector has been developed to better visualize and characterize land-cover at regional scales. The vegetation vector is derived from long time-series multitemporal normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data sets from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) by means of principal component analysis (PCA). The vegetation vector can characterize vegetation cover based upon both the spatial variation of the magnitude of NDVI and the seasonal variation of NDVI. The PCA study showed that the area under analysis must exhibit a variety of dissimilar vegetation communities in terms of density and phenology to successfully derive these two factors. When the PCA was applied to the entire state of Arizona, these two factors were derived as the first two principal components (PCs). However, when the PCA was applied to subset areas extracted from the entire study area by overlaying a vegetation map compiled through bioclimatological and ecological studies, the first two PCs did not always represent these two factors. This indicated that these two factors were not always the major cause of variation in NDVI for some vegetation communities. In this study the vegetation vector was constructed utilizing the first two PCs derived from the entire study area. Analysis of histograms of the direction of the vegetation vector for each community found in the vegetation map could be used to characterize most of the communities in terms of photosynthetic activity and phenology. A profile of the histogram could be interpreted as characteristic of the community. In addition, the range exhibited by the histogram could be used as a measure of the homogeneity/heterogeneity of the community based upon photosynthetic activity and phenology. Graphical projection of the mean vegetation vectors could be used to visualize characteristics and relationships between communities. The position of the plot represents the mean characteristics of the community. The difference in the mean vegetation vector between communities represents the similarity/dissimilarity of the characteristic between communities. These techniques represent a simple means of visualizing many vegetation communities and should facilitate characterizing land cover at global scales.
• Gilruth, P. T., Marsh, S. E., & Itami, R. (1995). A dynamic spatial model of shifting cultivation in the highlands of Guinea, West Africa. Ecological Modelling, 79(1-3), 179-197.
  More info

  Abstract: A dynamic spatial model of tropical deforestation and land-use change was developed from remotely sensed data for the Fouta Djallon mountain range in the Republic of Guinea, West Africa. The objective was to simulate patterns of forest clearing for shifting cultivation in terms of farmers' selection behavior for new fields based on topography and proximity to villages. Data describing the current and historic condition of the vegetation cover and land use for a watershed in Guinea were derived from aerial photography and ground sampling. Maps of these conditions were prepared and entered in a geographic information system (GIS) together with topographic data. From these data, maps of secondary variables (slope, village proximity, site productivity, and labor) were derived using the spatial operators contained in the GIS. These variables were ranked for agricultural preference and then combined following a pair-wise hierarchy to generate a composite agricultural site-preference map. Shifting agriculture was simulated by running the model through 18 iterations on a two-year time increment which corresponds to the typical duration of cultivation for any one field. An empirically derived number of cells from the agricultural site-preference map were converted from forest to active farms for each iteration to simulate deforestation. Different variable combinations and underlying assumptions of model logic were tested to determine influence on simulation results. To validate the model, the spatial characteristics of the projected landscape were compared with land-use data collected in 1989, using tests for (1) size and distribution of agricultural sites, (2) image similarity (Kappa test), and (3) physical characteristics (slope and distance from population centers) of the site. Although the model did not simulate the farmers' selection behavior for topography and village proximity successfully, test results with individual variables suggest that site productivity as determined by the length of fallow is a critical variable in the site selection process. Thus, aside from documenting the dynamics of shifting cultivation, this model allows planners to evaluate alternative strategies of land-use conversion with a graphic display of zones of potential hazards. Finally, the data contained in the GIS serve as a structure for monitoring long-term change in the region. © 1995.
• Lee, C. T., & Marsh, S. E. (1995). The use of archival Landsat MSS and ancillary data in a GIS environment to map historical change in an urban riparian habitat. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, 61(8), 999-1008.
• Mack, C., Marsh, S. E., & Hutchinson, C. F. (1995). Application of aerial photography and GIS techniques in the development of a historical perspective of environmental hazards at the rural-urban fringe. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, 61(8), 1015-1020.
• Marsh, S. E., Hutchinson, C. F., Pfirman, E. E., Rosiers, S. D., & Van, C. (1994). Development of a computer workstation for famine early warning and food security. Disasters, 18(2), 117-129.
  More info

  PMID: 8076156;Abstract: Beginning in 1990, the University of Arizona, Arizona Remote Sensing Center has been involved in a collaborative effort with the Global Information and Early Warning System and the Remote Sensing Center of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in designing and developing an integrated computer workstation for famine early warning. The goal of the project is to provide food security analysts with a set of computer tools to manage a very large and diverse set of data for predicting the onset of food security emergencies for every country on Earth. -from Authors
• Marsh, S. E., Walsh, J. L., & Sobrevila, C. (1994). Evaluation of airborne video data for land-cover classification accuracy assessment in an isolated Brazilian forest. Remote Sensing of Environment, 48(1), 61-69.
  More info

  Abstract: This research was designed to evaluate the operational utility of airborne bispectral video data for reconnaissance assessment of land-cover variability and to document the viability of the video data for classification accuracy assessment. There are distinct logistical advantages utilizing airborne video data in isolated and environmentally sensitive regions where there is limited preexisting aerial photography and poor infrastructure and where ground accessibility is difficult and expensive. In a study of land-cover characteristic in Mato Grosso, Brazil, video data provided important insights into the variability and transitions in land-cover that could be used to identify targets for field work and training areas for subsequent satellite image (Landsat TM) classifications. Comparisons of Landsat TM classification accuracy assessments derived from the airborne video and standard color photography revealed that comparable results can be achieved at a high statistical level of significance (0.01). These results demonstrated that the video data can provide information for accuracy assessments equivalent to more standard photographic point-sample data acquisition missions with the added benefit of easily acquiringfar more data. Results of the supervised Landsat TM classification coupled with a topographic model produced an overall accuracy of 68% with a Kappa coefficient of 0.60, based upon a priori classes identified through evaluation of the airborne data and a site visit. © 1994.
• Marsh, S. E., Walsh, J. L., Lee, C. T., Beck, L. R., & Hutchinson, C. F. (1992). Comparison of multi-temporal NOAA-AVHRR and SPOT-XS satellite data for mapping land-cover dynamics in the west African Sahel. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 13(16), 2997-3016.
  More info

  Abstract: Multi-resolution and multi-temporal remote sensing data (SPOT-XS and AVHRR) were evaluated for mapping local land cover dynamics in the Sahel of West Africa. The aim of this research was to evaluate the agricultural information that could be derived from both high and low spatial resolution data in areas where there is very often limited ground information. A combination of raster-based image processing and vector-based geographical information system mapping was found to be effective for understanding both spatial and spectral land-cover dynamics. The SPOT data proved useful for mapping local land-cover classes in a dominantly recessive agricultural region. The AVHRR-LAC data could be used to map the dynamics of riparian vegetation, but not the changes associated with recession agriculture. In areas where there was a complex mixture of recession and irrigated agriculture, as well as riparian vegetation, the AVHRR data did not provide an accurate temporal assessment of vegetation dynamics.
• Hutchinson, C. F., Marsh, S. E., & Walsh, J. L. (1991). Development of a computer workstation for early warning. Resource Technology 90. Proc. second international symposium on advanced technology in natural resources management, Washington, DC, 1990, 424-433.
  More info

  Abstract: Early Warning Systems (EWS) operated by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the U.S. Agency for International Development are intended to provide warning of imminent famine and critical impacts on natural resources so that relief efforts can be efficiently mobilized. At present, there is no single package that integrates all of the functions critical for a global early warning sytem. With support from FAO, we have initiated development of an integrated set of software with a menu-driven and task-oriented user interface that will greatly improve the current approach to incorporating remote sensing and agrometeorological data in the early warning analysis process. -from Authors
• Marsh, S. E., Walsh, J. L., Lee, C. T., & Graham, L. A. (1991). Multitemporal analysis of hazardous waste sites through the use of a new bi-spectral video remote sensing system and standard color-IR photography. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, 57(9), 1221-1226.
  More info

  Abstract: This study evaluated the utility of multispectral aerial video remote sensing data to map and monitor hazardous waste sites. The use of a video system offers several potential advantages over conventional photography for an operational monitoring program. These advantages include the immediate availability of multispectral data in either analog or digital form which can be acquired and stored efficiently and at low cost. Multitemporal comparison of airborne video data and conventional color infrared photography indicated that bi-spectral video data could be acquired and analyzed at sufficient resolution to accurately map a waste processing site near Phoenix, Arizona. Applying image processing and GIS techniques to the digitized video and photographic data permitted the effective generation of multitemporal land-cover maps that provided valuable information on the changing status of the site.
• Walsh, J. L., Hutchinson, C. F., & Marsh, S. E. (1991). Integration of aerial video and satellite image data for mapping land cover in Africa. Resource Technology 90. Proc. second international symposium on advanced technology in natural resources management, Washington, DC, 1990, 148-157.
  More info

  Abstract: Multispectral video and 35mm photography were used to map rangeland land-cover and reclamation efforts in Niger. A supervised classification map of a multispectral SPOT scene of the area was prepared. The maps derived from both the satellite and airborne data sources were compared in a Geographic Information System for the purpose of assessing the utility of 20 meter resolution satellite data in delineating land-cover classes in a rangeland setting. -from Authors
• Marsh, S. E., Walsh, J. L., & Hutchinson, C. F. (1990). Development of an agricultural land-use GIS for Senegal derived from multispectral video and photographic data. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, 56(3), 351-357.
  More info

  Abstract: Agricultural land-use patterns were mapped in a region of Senegal through the combined application of remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) technologies. This project established that airborne multispectral video data, paired with 35-mm photography, can be used for agricultural land-use mapping. Images were manually interpreted to map a series of land-use classes characteristic of recession agricultural crop production. GIS functions were used to digitize the classes and generate a series of land-use maps. The project also demonstrated the feasibility of more automated land-use mapping techniques entailing supervised classification of multispectral video data and Landsat MSS data, and migration of these data to the GIS for map generation.
• Newcomer, J. A., & Marsh, S. E. (1984). Integration of geological and geophysical point and multispectral data for exploration ( Nevada).. Proc. national conference on resource management, 1983, San Francisco. Vol. 4, 35-47.
  More info

  Abstract: The objective of the investigation was to produce an accurate reconnaissance geologic map using multispectral scanner data, geophysical data, and digital terrain information. An area of exploration interest south of the town of Tonopah in central Nevada was employed as the test site for this study. The data utilized included: 1) seven bands of airborne thematic mapper multispectral scanner data; 2) spectrally derived texture features; 3) point-source simple Bouguer gravity data; 4) digital elevation data. -from Authors
• Marsh, S. E., & McKeon, J. B. (1983). Integrated analysis of high-resolution field and airborne spectroradiometer data for( mineral) alteration mapping ( Oatman gold deposit, Arizona).. Economic Geology, 78(4), 618-632.
  More info

  Abstract: This study presents the results of our investigation into the development and application of high-spectral resolution field and airborne infrared spectroradiometers for mapping mineral alteration. The study demonstrated that these prototype field, and airborne systems can identify individual alteration minerals and assemblages and thus provide the exploration geologist with detailed reconnaissance information on surface alteration. Field and airborne spectral surveys were carried out over the Oatman epithermal gold deposit in NW Arizona. The high-resolution systems have demonstrated the ability to delineate pervasive argillic and wall-rock phyllic and propylitic alteration at this test site. Discrimination of these zones rests upon our ability to correctly identify the dominant alteration minerals - alunite, illite (mica), and chlorite. -from Authors
• Marsh, S. E., & Newcomer, J. A. (1983). COMPARISON OF CALIBRATED AND UNCALIBRATED LANDSAT AND AIRBORNE THEMATIC MAPPER DATA FOR GEOLOGIC MAPPING.. Digest - International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS), 2, 4. 1-4. 7.
• Kowalik, W. S., Marsh, S. E., & Lyon, R. J. (1982). A relation between landsat digital numbers, surface reflectance, and the cosine of the solar zenith angle. Remote Sensing of Environment, 12(1), 39-55.
  More info

  Abstract: A method for estimating the reflectance of ground sites from satellite radiance data is proposed and tested. The method uses the known ground reflectance from several sites and satellite data gathered over a wide range of solar zenith angles. The method was tested on each of 10 different Landsat images using 10 small sites in the Walker Lake, Nevada area. Plots of raw Landsat digital numbers (DNs) versus the cosine of the solar zenith angle (cos Z) for the the test areas are linear, and the average correlation coefficients of the data for Landsat bands 4, 5, 6, and 7 are 0.94, 0.93, 0.94, and 0.94, respectively. Ground reflectance values for the 10 sites are proportional to the slope of the DN versus cos Z relation at each site. The slope of the DN versus cos Z relation for seven additional sites in Nevada and California were used to estimate the ground reflectances of those sites. The estimates for nearby sites are in error by an average of 1.2% and more distant sites are in error by 5.1%. The method can successfully estimate the reflectance of sites outside the original scene, but extrapolation of the reflectance estimation equations to other areas may violate assumptions of atmospheric homogeneity. © 1982.
• Marsh, S. E., Schieldge, J. P., & Kahle, A. B. (1982). INSTRUMENT FOR MEASURING THERMAL INERTIA IN THE FIELD.. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, 48(4), 605-607.
  More info

  Abstract: Based on a previously developed laboratory method for the nondestructive determination of thermal inertia, an instrument left bracket Thermal Inertia Meter (TIM) right bracket has been developed and employed to measure, the thermal inertia of geologic materials in situ. A target and two standards are radiantly heated with calibrated lamps. The temperature history of the target and the standards are monitored with an infrared radiometer, and comparison of the target heating history with that of the two reference standards yields the target thermal inertia. The authors have used the TIM to discriminate different rock and soil types at a number of test sites in Nevada and California.
• Stewart, H., & Marsh, S. (1982). Geologic utility of improved orbital measurement capabilities in reference to non-renewable resources.. The multispectral imaging science working group. Vol. 3: appendices.
  More info

  Abstract: Spectral and spatial characteristics necessary for future orbital remote sensing systems are defined. The conclusions are based on the past decade of experience in exploring for non-renewable resources with reference to data from ground, aircraft, and orbital systems. Two principle areas of investigation are used in the discussion; a structural interpretation in a basin area for hydrocarbon exploration, and a discrimination of altered areas in the Cuprite district in Nevada.-from STAR, 21(17), 1983
• Marsh, S. E., & Lyon, R. J. (1980). Quantitative relationships of near-surface spectra to Landsat radiometric data. Remote Sensing of Environment, 10(4), 241-261.
  More info

  Abstract: The aim of our research has been to determine the quantitative relationship between the surface spectral character of a variety of geologic terrains and that sensed by the Landsat multispectral scanner. A spectral sampling and measurement program was conducted to accurately characterize the surface spectral reflectance of the Landsat resolution element and, for the first time, to establish statistically the degree of sampling required for a variety of natural terrains. Results from the study showed that for typical homogeneous and moderately heterogeneous terrains, the number of samples required to estimate the mean reflectance of a pixel is small. Only 9-20 samples are required to be within 2% reflectance at the 95% probability level. Coincident field measurements and satellite observations were used to test the equivalency and correlation of the reflectance data. Before the Landsat data could be compared with the surface measurements the satellite brightness values must be converted to absolute radiometric units, and corrected for atmospheric attenuation and scattering. A conversion method using a standard/target comparison, which indirectly compensated for atmospheric attenuation and scattering, produced a Landsat equivalent reflectance that exhibited a root-mean-square error of ± 4% reflectance, when compared with the surface measured value at 12 test sites. Although the equivalence of the surface and satellite data cannot be shown to be better than 4% reflectance, statistical study indicates that the surface and satellite data are highly correlated within defined contrast constraints. However, this correlation is present only after the satellite brightness values are corrected for between band gain differences and compensation is made for atmospheric attenuation and scattering. © 1980.
• Marsh, S. E., Switzer, P., Kowalik, W. S., & Lyon, R. J. (1980). RESOLVING THE PERCENTAGE OF COMPONENT TERRAINS WITHIN SINGLE RESOLUTION ELEMENTS.. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, 46(8), 1079-1086.
  More info

  Abstract: An approximate maximum likelihood technique employing a widely available (BMD) discriminant analysis program has been developed for resolving the percentage of component terrains within single resolution elements. The method employs all four channels of Landsat data simultaneously and does not require prior knowledge of the percentage of components in mixed pixels. For five test cases, the method proved to be superior to single band weighted average and linear regression techniques and permitted an estimate of the total area occupied by component terrains to within plus or minus 6 percent of the true area covered. It is believed this accuracy should be sufficient for many geologic applications of Landsat multispectral data.
• Kahle, A. B., Paley, H. H., & Marsh, S. E. (1979). Geologic applications of thermal inertia image using HCMM data. Quarterly report, Jan-Mar 1979.. Array.
  More info

  Abstract: Comparison of a simulated HCMM image of the Pisgah Crater, California test site obtained from aircraft data with an image generated from the preliminary satellite data tape of the area indicate that the HCMM satellite data appear much as predicted by the simulation. -NASA abstract E79-10232

Presentations

• Hung, C., Archer, S., McClaran, M., & Marsh, S. (2011). Long-term Cross-scale Assessment of Woody Cover Stability in Drylands. 34th International Symposium for Remote Sensing of Environment. Sydney, Australia.
• Hung, C., Archer, S., McClaran, M., & Marsh, S. E. (2011, 2011-04-01). Long-term Cross-scale Assessment of Woody Cover Stability in Drylands. ISRSE. Sydney Australia.
  More info

  Long-term Cross-scale Assessment of Woody Cover Stability in Drylands. Presented at the 34th International Symposium for Remote Sensing of Environment. Sydney, Australia. April 10-15, 2011. [Hung, C., Archer, S., McClaran, M.,Marsh, S.E.] Presented at Sydney, Australia on 4/12/2011. (15%).;Your Role: Ph.D. Adviser to Huang - Dissertation Research.;Submitted: Yes;Interdisciplinary: Yes;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member at UA: Yes;Type of Presentation: Academic Conference;
• Marsh, S. E. (2011). Remote Sensing of Rangelands Matching Capabilities with the Need for Information in a Changing World. AGRI-Sensing 2011. International Symposium on Sensing in Agriculture. Haifa, Israel.
• Marsh, S. E. (2011, 2011-02-01). Remote Sensing of Rangelands Matching Capabilities with the Need for Information in a Changing World. Agri-Sensing 2011. Haifa Israel.
  More info

  Remote Sensing of Rangelands Matching Capabilities with the Need for Information in a Changing World. AGRI-Sensing 2011. International Symposium on Sensing in Agriculture, Technion University, Haifa Israel, February 21-25, 2011. Invited Keynote Address Presented at Haifa, Israel on 2/22/2011. (100%).;Invited: Yes;Interdisciplinary: Yes;Type of Presentation: Invited/Plenary Speaker;
• Marsh, S. E., Schneier-Madanes, G., Hartfield, K., & Curley, E. (2011, 2011-05-01). Remote Sensing Of Urban Change to Inform Water Policy: The Tucson Basin In Arizona. WATARID 3. Paris France.
  More info

  Remote Sensing Of Urban Change to Inform Water Policy: The Tucson Basin In Arizona. WATARID 3 Conference, Paris, France. May 31, 2011. [Marsh, S.E., Schneier-Madanes, G., Hartfield, K., Curley, E.] Invited Presented at Paris, France on 5/31/2011. (40%).;Invited: Yes;Interdisciplinary: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member at UA: Yes;Other collaborative: Yes;Specify other collaborative: Pima County;Type of Presentation: Academic Conference/Workshop;
• Marsh, S. E., Schneier-Madanes, G., Hartfield, K., & Curley, E. (2011, 2011-06-01). Remote Sensing of Water and Urban Sprawl in the Arizona Growth Corridor The Tucson Basin. Institut de GĂ©ographie and CNRS. Paris France.
  More info

  Remote Sensing of Water and Urban Sprawl in the Arizona Growth Corridor The Tucson Basin. Institut de GĂ©ographie and CNRS. Paris, France. June 6, 2011. [Marsh, S.E., Schneier-Madanes, G., Hartfield, K., Curley, E.] Invited Presented at Paris, France on 6/6/2011. (40%).;Invited: Yes;Interdisciplinary: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member at UA: Yes;Other collaborative: Yes;Specify other collaborative: Pima County;Type of Presentation: Academic Conference/Workshop;
• Marsh, S., Schneier-Madanes, G., Hartfield, K., & Curley, E. (2011). Remote Sensing Of Urban Change to Inform Water Policy: The Tucson Basin. WATARID 3 Conference. Paris, France.
• Marsh, S., Schneier-Madanes, G., Hartfield, K., & Curley, E. (2011). Remote Sensing of Water and Urban Sprawl in the Arizona Growth Corridor The Tucson Basin. Paris, France.
• Casady, G., van, L. W., Reed, B. C., & Marsh, S. E. (2009, 2008-10-01). Phenology of Desert Winer Annuals. .S. Geological Survey Phenology Workshop. Tucson, Arizona.
  More info

  ;Invited: Yes;Interdisciplinary: Yes;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Type of Presentation: Academic Conference/Workshop;
• Czyzowska, E. H., Hirschboeck, K. K., van, L. W., Marsh, S. E., & Wisniewski, W. T. (2009, 2009-12-01). Fractional Snow Cover Estimation in Complex Alpine-Forested Environments Using Ikonos/Quickbird, Landsat and MODIS. AGU Annual Meeting. San Francisco, CA.
  More info

  Fractional Snow Cover Estimation in Complex Alpine-Forested Environments Using Ikonos/Quickbird, Landsat and MODIS. Czyzowska, E.H., Hirschboeck, K.K., van Leeuwen, W.J.D., Marsh, S.E., Wisniewski, W.T., 2009. Fractional Snow Cover Estimation in Complex Alpine-Forested Environments Using Ikonos/Quickbird, Landsat and MODIS. Presented at the American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting, San Francisco, USA. December 14-18, 2009. Published. (5%).;Your Role: Co-author;Submitted: Yes;Interdisciplinary: Yes;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member at UA: Yes;Type of Presentation: Professional Organization;
• Casady, G., van, L. W., Reed, B. C., & Marsh, S. E. (2008, 2008-10-01). henology of Desert Winer Annuals. .S. Geological Survey Phenology Workshop. Tucson, Arizona.
  More info

  ;Invited: Yes;Interdisciplinary: Yes;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Type of Presentation: Academic Conference/Workshop;
• Marsh, S. E., Casady, v. L., & Neary, O. (2007, 2007-04-01). Investigating local scale variability in post wildfire vegetation dynamics for a burned area in Central Arizona. International Association of Landscape Ecology. Tucson Arizona.
  More info

  ;Your Role: co-author;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Other collaborative: Yes;Specify other collaborative: Federal Agency Partner;Type of Presentation: Professional Organization;
• Marsh, S. E., Davison, v. L., & Casady, . (2007, 2007-04-01). Vegetation phenology and climate variability in a sky island in Arizona. International Association of Landscape Ecology. Tucson, Arizona.
  More info

  ;Your Role: co-author;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Type of Presentation: Professional Organization;
• Marsh, S. E., Davison, v. L., & Casady, . (2007, 2007-06-01). Phenological characterization of a sky island: insights into vegetation patterns across space and time. 32nd International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment. San Jose Costa Rica.
  More info

  ;Your Role: co-author;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Type of Presentation: Professional Organization;
• Marsh, S. E., Leeuwen, v., Davison, ., & Casady, . (2007, 2007-04-01). Satellite derived vegetation phenology for a sky island in Arizona. AAG. San Francisco CA.
  More info

  ;Your Role: co-author;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Type of Presentation: Professional Organization;
• Huang, C., Geiger, E., van, L. W., & Marsh, S. E. (2006, 2006-12-01). Characterizing the phenology of semi-desert grassland dominated by non-native Eragrostis lehmanniana or native grasses using MODIS NDVI and brightness data. AGU Fall Meeting. San Francisco CA.
  More info

  ;Submitted: Yes;Interdisciplinary: Yes;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member at UA: Yes;Type of Presentation: Professional Organization;
• Huang, C., Marsh, S., McClaran, M., & Archer, S. (2006, 2007-03-01). Post-fire stand structure of woody plants: Implications for remote sensing of biomass. The Ecological Society of America 91st Annual Meeting. Memphis TN.
  More info

  ;Submitted: Yes;Interdisciplinary: Yes;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member at UA: Yes;Type of Presentation: Professional Organization;
• Leeuwen, v., Huang, ., Casady, ., & Marsh, . (2006, 2006-03-01). Satellite derived vegetation phenology: Changes in the southwestern U.S. AAG. Chicago.
  More info

  ;Submitted: Yes;Interdisciplinary: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Type of Presentation: Professional Organization;
• Huang, C., Marsh, S. E., McClaran, M., & Archer, S. (2005, 2005-10-01). Cover-biomass Relationships in Woody Plants: Effects of Fire and Implications for Remote Sensing. 2nd Research Insights in Semiarid Ecosystems (RISE) Symposium. Tucson Arizona.
  More info

  ;Your Role: Project Co-PI;Submitted: Yes;Interdisciplinary: Yes;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member at UA: Yes;Type of Presentation: Academic Conference/Workshop;
• McClaran, M., Martens, D., & Marsh, S. E. (2005, 2005-10-01). Organic Carbon Stocks in Relation to Grass, Mesquite, and Land Use in the Desert Grassland.. 2nd Research Insights in Semiarid Ecosystems (RISE) Symposium. Tucson Arizona.
  More info

  ;Your Role: Project Co-PI;Invited: Yes;Interdisciplinary: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member at UA: Yes;Type of Presentation: Academic Conference/Workshop;
• Leeuwen, v., Orr, ., Marsh, ., Casady, ., Tuttle, ., Baker, ., Leeuw, v., Grunberg, ., & Hutchinson, . (2004, 2004-05-01). The use of MODIS products in a geospatial decision support tool for rangeland monitoring.. Tenth Biennial USDA Forest Service Remote Sensing Applications Conference. Salt Lake City, UT.
  More info

  ;Submitted: Yes;Interdisciplinary: Yes;Collaborative with undergraduate student: Yes;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Type of Presentation: Professional Organization;
• Marsh, S. E., Orr, B. J., Casady, G., Tuttle, D., van, L. W., Baker, L. E., McDonald, C. L., & Marsh, S. (2004, 2004-05-01). Phenology and trend indictors derived from spatially dynamic bi-weekly satellite imagery to support ecosystem monitoring. Proceedings of the 5th Conference on Research and Resource Management in Southwestern Deserts - Biodiversity and Management of the Madrean Archipelago II: Connecting Mountain Islands and Desert Sea. Tucson, AZ.
  More info

  ;Refereed: Yes;Interdisciplinary: Yes;Collaborative with undergraduate student: Yes;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Type of Presentation: Professional Organization;
• Rautenkranz, D., McClure, M., Orr, B., van, L. W., & Marsh, S. E. (2004, 2004-09-01). Airborne and Ground-based Hyperspectral Methods to Identify Nematode-induced Vegetation Stress in Cotton and Table Grapes. Fall 2004 Conference of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Kansas City MO.
  More info

  ;Submitted: Yes;Interdisciplinary: Yes;Collaborative with graduate student: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member in unit: Yes;Collaborative with faculty member at UA: Yes;Type of Presentation: Professional Organization;

Poster Presentations

• Hartfield, K. A., Van Leeuwen, W. J., Marsh, S. E., Crimmins, M. A., Weiss, J. L., Torrey, Y., Rahr, M. J., & K C, P. (2016, July). DroughtView: Satellite-based Drought Monitoring and Assessment – An update. ESRI. San Diego: ESRI.
  More info

  Kyle Hartfield, Willem J.D. van Leeuwen, Michael Crimmins, Stuart Marsh, Yuta Torrey, Matt Rahr, Jeremy Weiss, and Pratima K C, DroughtView: Satellite-based Drought Monitoring and Assessment – An update. ESRI conference June 27 - July 1,2016. San Diego.
• Weiss, J. L., Hartfield, K. A., Van Leeuwen, W. J., Crimmins, M. A., Marsh, S. E., Torrey, Y., Rahr, M. J., & K C, P. (2016, April). DroughtView: Satellite-based Drought Monitoring and Assessment. University of Arizona – International Arid Lands Consortium : Cross-disciplinary Symposium on Arid Environments Research.
• Hartfield, K., van Leeuwen, W., Crimmins, M. A., Marsh, S. E., Torrey, Y., Rahr, M. J., & Orr, B. J. (2014, December). DroughtView: Satellite Based Drought Monitoring and Assessment. Annual Meeting of the American Geophysical Union. San Francisco, CA: AGU.
  More info

  Drought is an ever growing concern within the United States and Mexico. Extended periods of below-average precipitation can adversely affect agricultural production and ecosystems, impact local water resources and create conditions prime for wildfire. DroughtView (www.droughtview.arizona.edu) is a new on-line resource for scientists, natural resource managers, and the public that brings a new perspective to remote-sensing based drought impact assessment that is not currently available. DroughtView allows users to monitor the impact of drought on vegetation cover for the entire continental United States and the northern regions of Mexico. As a spatially and temporally dynamic geospatial decision support tool, DroughtView is an excellent educational introduction to the relationship between remotely sensed vegetation condition and drought. The system serves up Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) data generated from 250 meter 16-day composite Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) imagery from 2000 to the present. Calculation of difference from average, previous period and previous year greenness products provide the user with a proxy for drought conditions and insight on the secondary impacts of drought, such as wildfire. The various image products and overlays are served up via the ArcGIS Server platform. DroughtView serves as a useful tool to introduce and teach vegetation time series analysis to those unfamiliar with the science. High spatial resolution imagery is available as a reference layer to locate points of interest, zoom in and export images for implementation in reports and presentations. Animation of vegetation time series allows users to examine ecosystem disturbances and climate data is also available to examine the relationship between precipitation, temperature and vegetation. The tool is mobile friendly allowing users to access the system while in the field. The systems capabilities and applications will be demonstrated live during the poster session. Expansion of DroughtView includes future plans to add snow products, phenology data and climate scenarios. Extension of the spatial coverage of the data to other parts of the world is also planned.
• Hingle, M., Going, S. B., Orr, B. J., Hongu, N. -., Merchant, N., Nichter, M. -., Roe, D. -., Borden, L., Astroth, K. A., & Marsh, S. E. (2013, August). Stealth health: Youth innovation, mobile technology, online social networking, and informal learning to promote physical activity. Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, Annual Conference. Portland, OR.: Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior.

Others

• Hartfield, K., van Leeuwen, W. J., Moore, D. J., Orr, B. J., & Marsh, S. E. (2014, March, 2013). Remote Sensing and GIS - Natural Resource Applications at Multiple Spatial and Temporal Scales.. GIS career day.
  More info

  2013 Kyle Hartfield, Willem J.D. van Leeuwen, Barron Orr, David Moore, Stuart Marsh, 2013. Remote Sensing and GIS - Natural Resource Applications at Multiple Spatial and Temporal Scales. GIS Career Day, University of Arizona, March 6, Tucson, AZ,USA.
• Marsh, S. E. (2010). Multitemporal Imagaing.
  More info

  ;Your Role: Sole Author;Full Citation: Marsh, Stuart E., 2010. "Multitemporal Imaging." Encyclopedia of Geography. SAGE Publications. 4 Oct. 2010.;Type of Publication: Encyclopedia;